2014 Creativity

Wine Advocate | 94
Produced from 100% Mourvèdre, the 2014 Creativity has a deep garnet-purple color and nose of warm blackberries, crème de cassis and preserved plums with an earthy undercurrent and hints of sautéed herbs and black olives. Full-bodied and firmly framed by chewy tannins, the earthy/savory flavors are lifted by lovely freshness and it finishes with a lively herbal lift. 157 cases were made. – September 17 (Lisa Perotti-Brown)

Jeb Dunnuck | 97The cuvée that allows winemaker Jordan Fiorentini to be creative in every vintage, the 2014 Creativity is 100% Mourvèdre, all from the estate Paderewski Vineyard, that was brought up in 70% new French oak puncheons. It’s a backward, tight, reserved beauty that offers lots of black and blue fruits, crushed rock, meat, chocolate and floral aromas and flavors, and is reminiscent of a Bandol on steroids. Deep, rich, and incredibly textured on the palate, with ample building tannin, it’s tour de force in Paso Robles reds that I wish I could pour for every reader. Give bottles another year or two, and It should cruise for at least a decade. – August 2017 (Jeb Dunnuck)

2013 Creativity

Wine Advocate | 96
A cuvee where Jordan selects something special from the vintage (hence changes each year), the 2013 Creativity is a sensational 100% Mourvedre that comes from a single block in their estate Paderewski. It has drop dead gorgeous notes of dark fruits, crushed rocks, peppery herbs, leather and underbrush that flow perfectly to a full-bodied, seamless and incredibly pure profile on the palate. It has plenty of Mourvedre character, yet is always pure, polished, layered and downright elegant, all of which make it hard to resist. It should cruise for another decade. – August 2015 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Wine Spectator | 92
Big and burly, focused and rich at the core. Aromas of smoky cherry and licorice combine with flavors that are dense but full of personality, showing notes of cracked pepper, dried salami and plum. Drink now through 2026. (Tim Fish)

2012 Creativity

Wine Advocate | 95+
The 2012 Creativity is a smoking (and interesting) blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Roussanne that has both aromatic fireworks as well as a voluptuous, layered and decadent profile on the palate. Giving up perfumed and lively plum pit and black raspberry styled fruits, crushed violets, sweet spice, cured meats and graphite-styled aromas and flavors, this beauty hits the palate with a full-bodied, layered and seamless texture that carries notable freshness, beautiful mid-palate concentration, no hard edges and terrific length. There are masses of finely polished tannin here, so short-term cellaring is advised, but it will have 10-15 years of overall longevity. – August 2015 (Jeb Dunnuck)

Vinous | 90+
The 2012 Creativity is 90% Syrah and 10% Roussanne. Today, the Creativity is quite shut down, most likely the result of its very recent bottling. Still, there is a lot to like, from the wine’s expressive bouquet to all of the energy and density that come through. Readers need to give the 2012 a bit of time to recovered from its very recent bottling. – July 2014 (Antonio Galloni)

2011 Creativity

Wine Advocate | 93
A new release and from a block of Grenache that stood out, the 2011 Creativity offers thrilling aromatics (blackberry, raspberry, baking spice, pepper and big minerality) as well as a rich, medium-bodied profile on the palate. Still tannic and firm, with juicy acidity, it’s a pretty, elegant Grenache that will be better in a year and drink well through 2018. Drink 2014-2018. – August 2013 (Jeb Dunnuck)